Raglan will have a new primary school by 2015 thanks to funding made available by the Welsh Government.

Monmouthshire County Council will share the £4.5 million cost of the new school, which will be built under its 21st Century Schools programme.

The funding is being made available a year before the 21st Century Schools programme is due to start and reflects the council's track record in delivering the UK's most modern primary schools.

It will offer youngsters a standard of facilities similar to those enjoyed at the UK's most modern primary school, Caldicot's Dewstow Primary School, which opened last autumn.

It is anticipated that building work will start on the new school next summer and it will open in late 2015.

Raglan suffers poor energy and high maintenance levels with limitations over access, comfort levels, light levels and ventilation and this is reflected in the county's condition survey records which indicate it is among six primary schools that fall into the lowest category.

Of these six schools, Raglan is the only one with separate junior and infant blocks, which conflicts with the county's aim of bringing together all children at primary level under one roof.

Monmouthshire's cabinet member for children and young people, councillor Liz Hacket Pain, said: "This is indeed good news for the people of Raglan.

"I'm delighted and I'm sure that the whole village will look forward to following those other communities in Monmouthshire which have benefitted from a new school."

Jeremy Piper, headteacher of Raglan Primary School, was ecstatic.

He said: "We're delighted that the new school has received the go-ahead and we're so happy for the children, parents and staff."